Sagrada Família

Sagrada Família

1 | Plan your visit

As you probably know, the Sagrada Família is Barcelona’s most emblematic monument. This immense Basilica is the unfinished work of genius Antoni Gaudí. The Sagrada Família attracts more than 3.2 million visitors every year, making it the most visited monument in Spain, ahead of Madrid’s Prado Museum.

3.2 million visitors a year.

Antoni Gaudí wanted to make the Sagrada Família the tallest and most imposing monument in Barcelona. He decided to devote the rest of his life to the monument and imposed its dimensions. 4,500 square metres, 120 metres long, with a gigantic nave that could hold 14,000 people. An innovative structure like the chain arch and its hyperbolic vaults. But let’s not give everything away – plan your visit.

Plan your visit and your time slot.

1.1 Choosing the date

If you want to discover the Sagrada Família, it’s vital to choose the date and time slot that best suits your schedule. You should be aware that early morning or late afternoon visits are the least popular time slots. During the festive season, it can sometimes be difficult to get a ticket, so we recommend that you book several days or even weeks in advance to ensure that you have a slot. Please note that once you have purchased a Sagrada Família ticket, it cannot be changed or refunded. It will count towards the visit quotas imposed by the Sagrada Família.

Coloured stained glass windows in the nave.

1.2 Buying a Sagrada Família ticket

Buying your Sagrada Família ticket online will give you access to the Sagrada Família in a queue. This will allow you to limit your waiting time when you visit the Sagrada Família. tilckets allows you to make your reservation online via this website, with a wide range of visit options via the secure Tiqets platform. Please note that the tilckets website is not the official website but a brand affiliated to Tiqets. Tiqets is one of the Sagrada Família’s partners. Booking is simple: choose the type of ticket you prefer (simple visit, visit to the Sagrada Família Towers, visit with an audioguide, visit with an official guide, etc.) and you will receive your Sagrada Família ticket directly by e-mail. You can then present your Sagrada Família ticket on your smartphone or in printed form.

Sculptures on the façade of the Nativity.

2 | Before your visit.

2.1 Itinerary 
Plan and organise your route to the Sagrada Família. Use public transport or book a taxi if necessary. You can find out how to get to the Sagrada Família here.

2.2 Dress code 
You are about to enter a Basilica, which is a religious site. That’s why you’ll need to make sure you’re dressed appropriately. Remember to cover your shoulders and knees out of respect for the sacred nature of the site.

2.3 Visiting time 
Allow plenty of time to make the most of your visit. Once inside the Sagrada Família, your time will not be limited and you can take as much time as you need to visit the Basilica. This visit will allow you to imagine how Antoni Gaudí was able to create such a complex and monumental structure.

The entrance is via the Nativity façade.

3 | Your arrival

3.1 Which way do I enter?

The main entrance to the Sagrada Família is via the Nativity façade. This is on the east side of the Basilica.

When you arrive, follow the signs to find the entrance reserved for visitors. Present your Sagrada Família ticket at the entrance from your smartphone or in printed form. It’s important that your QR code is easy to read. Make sure you arrive at the time specified on your ticket to ensure that you respect the visiting times. After passing through the checkpoint, you can go inside the Sagrada Família and marvel at the exceptional architecture designed by Antoni Gaudí.

A few words about the Nativity façade

At the very start of construction, rather than concentrating on the central part of the Sagrada Família, such as the nave, Antoni Gaudí was certain that the immensity of his project would be abandoned on his death if the work did not appear to be out of the ordinary.

Construction of the Sagrada Família in 1920.

This is why the workers began work on the Nativity façade. Gaudí wanted to complete this façade and the huge, oversized doorway during his lifetime, and it’s at this doorway that you’ll begin your visit.

3.2 Safety instructions

Follow the security instructions and, at the security checkpoint, leave your prohibited items in the lockers if necessary. There are no lockers for suitcases, handbags or backpacks at the Sagrada Família. Only when visiting the Towers will you be required, for security reasons, to leave your bags and rucksacks in a locker. A deposit of a €1 coin or token is required for deposit in the secure lockers.

Architecturally meticulous details.

4 | During your visit

4.1 Audioguide (via the application)

With your Sagrada Família ticket, you can enjoy a guided tour using the audioguide application. You will receive installation instructions once you have purchased your Sagrada Família ticket. Follow the instructions for detailed information during your visit.

Colonnades flooded with light.

4.2 Discovering the spaces

Explore the different parts of the Sagrada Família, including the nave, the façades, the Gaudí Museum (entry included with your Sagrada Família ticket), the construction laboratory and possibly the towers if you choose the “Sagrada Família Tours” option. Follow a logical itinerary so you don’t miss anything.

Discover the Gaudí Museum during your visit.

36 forest-like columns.

4.3 Architectural observation

Take time to admire the unique architecture designed by Antoni Gaudí. Enjoy the details and symbols incorporated into each element.

Colourful stained glass windows inside the Basilique.

After Antoni Gaudí’s death, work began again in 1944 under the direction of the architects Francesc Quintana, Isidre Puig i Boada and Lluís Bonet i Garí. They took on the difficult task of imagining the continuation of Antoni Gaudí’s work. Jaume Busquets produced a real work of sculpture.

Sculptures by Subirachs and the Magic Square.

In 1986, Josep Maria Subirachs brought a new contemporary style to the statues of the Sagrada Família.

4.4 Consecration and end of construction work

The Sagrada Família was consecrated on 7 November 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI and became a “Minor Basilica”.

The construction work lasted 144 years.

On 18 October 2018, after 136 years, the Sagrada Família Basilica finally received its building permit from Barcelona City Council. Work on the Sagrada Família is due to be completed in 2026 to celebrate the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death. Finishing work is likely to continue until 2032.

Jesus Christ on the cross.

5 | After your visit

5.1 Souvenir shop

At the end of your visit, you can visit the shop and take away a souvenir of the Sagrada Família.

5.2 Free time

If you have any free time, take the opportunity to walk around the area or take some more photos of the exterior of the Sagrada Família.

View from Plaça Gaudí.

The view of the Sagrada Família from the “Plaça de Gaudí” park with its small pond is certainly the best place to take great photos. By following tilckets’ advice, you should be able to organise a pleasant and well-planned visit to the Sagrada Família.

Sagrada Família access

Subway:

  L2     L5    Sagrada Família Station (1 min)

Bus:

Mallorca – Marina stop, lines 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50, 51, B20 i B24.

Tourist bus:

Blue line / Sagrada Familia stop.

Aquest lloc està afiliat a la plataforma Tiqets. Tiqets és un dels socis oficials del monument per revendre les teves entrades, aquest lloc no és el lloc oficial, les entrades es venen amb la plataforma Tiqets, un dels socis de Sagrada Família.